Eight dead, 18 missing after Ferry sinks off Northern Cyprus

At least eight people have died and 18 remain missing after a passenger ferry capsized and sank off the coast of Northern Cyprus, prompting a major search-and-rescue operation and an investigation into the cause of the disaster.

The privately owned Filo Jet was carrying 259 passengers and eight crew members when it began taking on water shortly after leaving the port of Kyrenia, also known as Girne, at about 12:10 p.m. on Sunday.

The vessel was heading for the Turkish port of Tasucu in Mersin province.

Authorities said 241 people were rescued, while eight died and 18 remained unaccounted for.

The ferry later sank to a depth of about 514 metres (1,686 feet), according to Turkish Cypriot President Tufan Erhurman.

Survivors were seen wearing life jackets and clinging to the overturned hull as rescue teams arrived at the scene.

Some passengers told investigators that the vessel had begun taking on water before it capsized.

Other reports said passengers heard a loud impact shortly before the ferry overturned.

The exact cause of the sinking remains unclear.

The captain and seven crew members were detained as part of the investigation.

On Monday, authorities said 14 suspects had appeared before a Kyrenia court, including the captain, crew members, a company employee and port officials.

Port officials who authorised the ferry’s departure were also suspended while investigators examined whether there had been negligence or other failures.

The captain and crew told the court that the vessel’s bow broke after it encountered rough waves, causing water to enter the ferry.

They said the ship had valid navigation and administrative certificates and that weather conditions had not prevented it from sailing.

Investigators have been ordered to examine passenger videos, technical records and the vessel’s previous accident and repair history to establish what caused the ferry to capsize.

Search operations continued through the night using aircraft, drones and helicopters, with additional support from Türkiye.

Turkish authorities deployed aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, coast guard vessels and naval assets to assist the operation.

Northern Cyprus declared three days of national mourning for those killed and missing in the disaster.

The Turkish Embassy in Nicosia also cancelled a reception planned to mark Türkiye's Victory Day.

The accident has left relatives of missing passengers waiting for information at Kyrenia port, while authorities work to establish the identities of those who died and locate those still missing.

The ferry disaster occurred just off Kyrenia, a popular coastal resort and one of northern Cyprus's main tourism centres.

Authorities have said the search will continue until all missing passengers are accounted for, while the investigation will focus on the vessel, its crew and the decision to allow it to leave port.

The incident has raised questions about the ferry’s seaworthiness and the circumstances surrounding its departure, but officials have cautioned that the cause of the disaster has yet to be established.